Oakland club manager: Shooting was robbery attempt

The Associated Press

The manager of a downtown Oakland lounge where two people were killed and four wounded earlier this week said the shooting stemmed from an attempted robbery outside the business.

David Ward, the operator of Sweet Jimmie's, said in published newspaper reports that witnesses told police the gunman tried to rob two men outside the lounge near the city's popular Jack London Square early Monday.

Police said the shooter was armed with an assault rifle and opened fire indiscriminately inside the lounge with about 10 to 15 patrons inside at the time. The shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. about four blocks from the Oakland Police department's downtown headquarters.

Ward said when he heard the shots and started walking toward the door, the gunman rushed in. Ward said he was pushed away and scrambled along the floor with others trying to escape a hail of bullets.

"I'm just glad it wasn't me," Ward told the Oakland Tribune. "If that person hadn't pushed me out of the way, I'd be dead. There's probably an angel looking after me."

Police would not confirm Ward's account, citing an ongoing investigation.

No arrests have been made. Police are looking for four men in their late teens or early 20s who drove off in a white, four-door Dodge Avenger after the attack.

While authorities have yet to publicly identify the victims, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that family and associates say they are Adam Williams, 22, of San Leandro and Bill Jenkins, 27, of Oakland.

The newspaper said Williams - who Ward said ran inside the lounge - was an after-school aide at Peralta Elementary in Oakland.

"He was a responsible, caring and professional young man. Adam had such an impact on students' lives, as well as the adults he encountered," said Sherice Tyler, a coordinator of the school program.

Jenkins was inside the lounge playing video games when he was shot and killed. He was the father of a 2-year-old daughter said his wife, Ocie Parks, 28, of Oakland.

"He was a loving father. He always put family first," said Parks. "Whatever it took, he always made sure he provided for his family ... He was wonderful. I couldn't ask for anything more. I love him to death."